If you love the fat sweetness of plum , and the plum season does n’t last nigh long enough for you , consider growing your own . When you copulate the beauty of a plum tree tree with the pleasant-tasting , goodish produce , you ’ve get an all around profits . And speak of health , plums are chock full of nutrients . From fiber and antioxidants to Vitamin C , plum are an easy to grow super - food .
Plums are uncommitted in European and Japanese diverseness . European varieties are generally freestone which means the form of the plum tree is n’t adhered to the orchestra pit . No one is sure where the European variety originated , but they most likely appeared on the scene from Asia . The French are credited with ultimately introducing plum tree tree to North America .
Japanese varieties are clingstone , so the bod is often firmly tie to the germ . Japanese varieties probably originated in an area of Asia near the Caspian Sea . Japanese plum trees are similar in size and cast to European trees .
The yield of both European and Nipponese varieties range in size , human body , color and sapidity . They are yummy when eat on fresh . European miscellanea are sweet and perfect for freezing , drying ( prune ) , and canning . Japanese variety plums make scrumptious jams and jellies .
European potpourri are hardy throughout most of the United States . Nipponese diverseness grow more successfully in warm regions where other fruit trees , like apricot trees , grow . There are newer American varieties developed in the U.S. that are suit for other colder and more northerly regions , too .
How to Grow and Care for Plums
Once you ’ve decided you have to produce plum of your very own , you ’ll require to arise more than one Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . A few change of plum tree trees do n’t need cross - pollination , but most do . All varieties will flourish in full sunlight . plum tree tree love well drained soil , too . Provide a sunny position with loamy soil for a felicitous plum tree tree .
To implant your tree , dig a hole a few in deeper and wider than the root orb . Use uninfected shears to cut any roots that have circled around the root ball . revolve about the root globe in the trap , and gently drive the roots outward before filling around the source ball with grime .
Water your new tree diagram heavily throughout its first arise time of year to further the roots to develop profoundly . After the first twelvemonth , water your tree on a regular basis at the base of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . And check that your tree diagram has plenty of room to maturate . Space your trees about 25 feet apart . If you plant dwarf form trees , allow them about 15 feet of space .
After the first year of fruit production , flow your trees with an organic fertilizer peculiarly formulated for yield trees . Ease off the feedings during the recent spill and wintertime to deter premature bud in the early outpouring .
Pick your plums when they are at their tastiest . Allow them to ripen on the tree . lightly mash your plums to test for softness . Ripe plum will be easy to wriggle off their ramification .
Plum Pests, Diseases and Problems
As with all fruit tree , plum trees are susceptible to pests and fungal and bacterial infections . view prophylactic fungicides and insecticide to protect your tree before disease sets in . If infection pass off , try your best to identify the particular plague or problem your tree is fighting . touch your local elongation means or nursery for specific formulas to treat the job .
For optimal yield yield , place your yield tree diagram in a sheltered location out of the wind . Protect your tree from Frost when it has blossomed . If you ’re faced with freeze out temperature and you ’ve catch a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree loaded with flower , string large bulb Christmas light strands throughout your tree to boost the temperature around your prime a couple of degrees .
Plum Varieties to Consider
A European variety ‘ Stanley ’ is a sturdy variety that can be grown throughout most of the moth-eaten , northern regions in the U.S. It works as a stand - alone tree that does not require crown of thorns pollenation that makes it a great pick for a home nurseryman . The plums from are delicious sassy and canned .
For a delicious Nipponese variety try ‘ Satsuma . ’ ‘ Satsuma ’ produces heavy recondite - colored yield perfect for give the axe and eat up sweet .
An American variety that combines the hardiness of the European varieties with the relish of Japanese variety is ‘ Superior . ’ ‘ Superior ’ is a great variety to plant in extreme locations .
Want to learn more about growing plums?
check out out these helpful resources : The Holistic Orchard : Tree Fruits and Berries the Biological Wayby Michael Phillips ( Amazon affiliate link)When plums are plum plentifulfrom University of Missouri ExtensionFruit Cultivars for Home Plantings
Please note that links to Amazon from Gardening Channel are affiliate link .
